Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal syndrome that causes chronic abdominal pain and variable bowel habits associated with defecation without an organic pathology and that does not threaten life but disrupts the quality of life. Chronic and recurrent abdominal pain and variable bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea or both) are the main clinical features of IBS. ROMA IV diagnostic criteria is used for diagnosis. If the diagnostic criteria are fully met and there is no alarm symptom IBS can be diagnosed without the need for a diagnostic test. 70% of IBS patients have mild symptoms and do not refer to any health institution. In the remaining 30% of the patients symptoms are mode-rate to severe,with the majority being treated in primary care. IBS is a high-cost disease because of unsatisfactory results in relieving the symptoms, unnecessary examinations / treatments, consultation / operation and which leads to an increase in health expenditures and loss of labor. The most important step in the treatment is the strict patient-physician relationship.IBS, which is one of the most common diseases in primary health care, is easily diagnosed, treated and followed-up. The use of ROMA IV diagnostic criteria in daily practice is necessary for standardization and accurate diagnosis. The biopsychosocial evaluation of the patient in accordance with the principles of holistic and comprehensive approach of family medicine is important in controlling the disease.
Key words: Primary care, irritable bowel syndrome, primary care
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